The reigning Stanley Cup champions are on the brink of elimination. Even after narrowing the series to 3-2 with a win in double overtime of Game 5, the Kings are still one game away from punching their ticket to the championship round where they will face the New York Rangers. The series now shifts back to the Staples Center where Los Angeles has the opportunity to eliminate the Blackhawks on home ice. After narrowly pulling off the feat in Game 4, can the Kings repeat the success?
Chicago is attempting to repeat what the Kings had been doing all playoffs, making come-from-behind wins in each series. Los Angeles has been forced to battle from behind in their first two series in this postseason and the Blackhawks hope they can do the same. Getting the win in Game 5 was merely just the start.
The Kings are coming off one of their worst defensive performances of this playoff run. Jonathan Quick and company gave up five goals in the loss. Of course Corey Crawford did not exactly play well either in his fourth straight unimpressive performance, but he did more than Quick and kept Chicago afloat.
Playing on the road is not exactly what Chicago wants in an elimination game. Insisting that all of the pressure is on the Kings, the Blackhawks' road record says otherwise. The Blackhawks are just 2-6 away from home in the postseason. They have been outscored 9-5 at the Staples center in the Western Conference finals as they have struggled to get any offensive momentum going. Chicago finally got production from their re-adjusted lineup as Patrick Kane came alive for four assists in Game 5. Andrew Shaw and Brandon Saad joined him on the line for immediate success.
The Kings are in control which is new territory for them. They are aware the aggressiveness Chicago will come with, having a nothing-to-lose attitude. It is the same one they are used to playing with. If the Kings are going to end things on Friday, they must match what Chicago brings.